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The dust has settled (for now) and the Knicks have made their stance and did what everyone anticipated. Clunky contracts and pieces were moved to clear some cap. They added their "guy", who've they have been enamored by. And they brought back one of their young core building blocks.
Overall, I give it a B. Wasn't sexy or splashy but they finally landed a point guard, they haven't had a true PG in years. They brought back Mitch and added Center depth, and got rid of some depth pieces on larger contracts and made the team younger.
Jalen Brunson
Deal: 4 Year, $104M
The worst kept secret in all of sports, but alas, Jalen Brunson is a Knick. The Knicks starting Point Guard spot is like the Cleveland Browns starting Quarterback position. A long list of names on a back of jersey that have been meme'd to death for the past decade.
Opening night PG's since 2009:
2009: Chris Duhon
2010: Ray Felton
2011: Toney Douglas
2012: Ray Felton
2013: Pablo Prigioni
2014: Shane Larkin
2015: Jose Calderon
2016: D Rose
2017: Ramon Sessions
2018: Trey Burke
2019: Allonzo Trier
2020: Elf Payton
2021: Kemba Walker
They now have their guy and he seems to be a good fit. He will be the perfect complimentary piece feeding the ball to Barrett and Randle. What stood out was his past playoffs stat line. With Luka in and out due to injuries, Brunson shined averaging 21.6 points on 46.6 percent shooting.
If the Knicks didn't sign Brunson, they'd be laughed at. The Knicks signing Brunson to this deal they are being laughed out. This sentence as a whole is just laughable. Like seriously? He's a good player and the contract isn't that astronomical.
It wouldn't be the goddamn Knicks without controversy, and now they might get bogged down for tampering, which would be so stupid. The Mavericks were 'frustrated' because reports of a finished contract between Brunson and Knicks came out before sides were allowed to speak to each other. Again, how can you prove this? Whatever, take away some 2nd round picks and kick rocks.
Isaiah Hartenstein
Deal: 2 Year, $16M
I was afraid that Hartenstein would be the starting center, but he is offers great stats for the backup position. His spread is actually pretty interesting. Last season with the Clippers, Hartenstein averaged 8.3 points on 62.6% shooting, with 4.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.1 blocks per
Nerlens Noel, who IH will be replacing, last season averaged 3.4 points, on 53.3% shooting, with 5.6 rebounds, 0.9 assists, and 1.2 blocks per game.
Already an upgrade, and the the difference maker? Hartenstein can shoot the three ball. He shot 46.7% beyond the arc last season.
Mitchell Robinson
Deal: 4 Year, $60M (Re-Sign)
I wasn't sure if Mitchell Robinson wanted to return, but I am happy that he did. He is effective, especially in a league that is wandering away from the big man. Mitch played in a career-high 72 games last season, averaging 8.5 points, a career-high 8.6 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game. The 2018 second-round pick is an athletic big man who has become coach Tom Thibodeau’s preferred starting center option and elite defensive option in his scheme.
Robinson has a high efficient shot, shooting a career-best 76.1 percent from the field last season and is a career 72.2 percent shooter while doing most of his scoring near the rim.
Great move and well deserved, he is a young star who can be serviceable when healthy and a solid
Anything Else?
The free agent market still has some names, but I am not sure if that's the play.
A Carmelo Anthony reunion would be nice. I like the idea of guard depth, with Dennis Schroder, Austin Rivers, Isaiah Thomas, and Jeremy Lamb, so that could be a potential.
Supposedly they might make a run at Collin Sexton, but some complimentary trades would have to take place. Also, where would he play, the 2 guard? Not the point because of Brunson, so I don't see this as happening.
I would love a Donovan Mitchell or Kevin Durant trade, but again, unless the RJ Barrett and Obi Toppin are safe, then no. I would lean more towards Donovan Mitchell and have a starting five of Brunson-Mitchell-Barrett-Toppin-Mitchell, but that's just me.
One thing I would love for the Knicks to accomplish right now is an RJ Barrett extension. He's due and he should be the focal point of the team.
Potential Depth Chart
PG: Jalen Brunson - Derrick Rose - Miles McBride
SG: RJ Barrett - Immanuel Quickley- Quentin Grimes
SF: Evan Fournier - Cam Reddish - Trevor Keels
PF: Julius Randle - Obi Toppin - Taj Gibson
C: Mitchell Robinson - Isaiah Hartenstein - Jericho Sims
The starting core can cook up something special, and the 2nd unit has potential. One thing though it is a very young and raw core. I don't think the Knicks are done, but the roster isn't where I'd like it to be.